*********************************************************
In view of the explosion of a nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today (March 12) has issued a Black Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for Fukushima Prefecture of Japan, while Red OTA is maintained for the rest of the country . Hong Kong residents in Japan are urged to avoid all travel to Fukushima Prefecture, pay attention to the announcement of local government and take practicable measures to attend to their personal safety, the Government spokesman said.
The Government today issued SMS over mobile phones to Hong Kong residents with roaming services in Japan to inform them that Black OTA has been issued for Fukushima Prefecture of Japan, residents there should attend to personal safety.
Security Bureau will continue to closely monitor the situation and issue updates through the media and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota). Security Bureau will continue to liaise with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and the Chinese Embassy in Japan in monitoring the situation there. The Chinese Embassy in Japan has set up a hotline (81-3-34033064) to render assistance to Chinese citizens including Hong Kong residents.
Residents outside Hong Kong who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868.
Ends/Saturday, March 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:17
NNNN